26 March 2025
Simon Phillips, CEO of drug, alcohol and mental health charity WithYou says:
“Much of the commentary surrounding today’s Spring Statement from the Chancellor has focused on balancing the nation’s books and whether Rachel Reeves will stick to her self-imposed rules on spending."
My thoughts though, are with our clients and their families, and the impact these cuts will have on their lives, and their recoveries, in the coming weeks, months and years.
“Last week the Government announced billions of pounds of cuts to disability benefits. The DWP’s own assessment of these cuts, published today, finds they will drive 250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, into poverty.
“In today’s Spring Statement the Chancellor has built on that announcement with further cuts to Universal Credit.
“The Joseph Rowntree Foundation forecasts that on average all families will see a fall in living standards under this Government, and that the poorest families will deteriorate twice as fast. Deaths and harms relating to drugs and alcohol are highest in the most deprived areas of the country where we see more people likely to experience poverty, insecure housing and childhood trauma.
“Last year the Chancellor promised there would be no return to austerity, but to many of our clients the difference between then and now will be academic, as they struggle to keep their homes, feed their families, and maintain their recovery.
“Our staff will continue to work tirelessly to support anyone impacted by drugs, alcohol or poor mental health, but we need the Government to focus their policies on improving the lives of the poorest in this country. We cannot stop drug- and alcohol-related deaths if people don’t have safe places to live, access to health and mental health services, and a safety net for when they need it. We understand there are very challenging external circumstances facing the UK, but it is a political choice to make the most vulnerable pay the cost. The links between poverty and harm caused by drugs and alcohol are well-evidenced, and we fear increasing the number of Britons in poverty will ultimately lead to more people needing support.”
